A Radioactive Monolayer Gold Surface Coating for Short Range Cancer Therapy Tufts University investigator Charles Sykes has developed a novel way to coat gold surfaces with radioactive I-125 such that the low-energy beta particle emission is amplified by 600%. This technology is positioned to make significant improvements in short-range tumor radiation therapy.
Problem
Radiation therapy as a whole comes with a high potential to damage surrounding healthy tissue and organs. Side effects from such acute radiation can lead to severe skin irritation, among others. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), while highly precise, is very expensive.
Solution
Our technology furthers the advantages of brachytherapy by improving the rate of radiation and reducing the potential to damage healthy tissue. This technical improvement should increase the effectiveness of localized cancer treatment.
Competitive AdvantageThis technology has the potential to be applied to the outside surface of implanted particles as opposed to being encapsulated, thus improving beta particle penetration. It can be combined with a magnetic layer to control the direction of particle emission.
Applications
Localized brachytherapy for the treatment of diseases such as cervical, prostate, breast, and skin cancer.
Intellectual Property
US Patent No. 10,124,091 (November 13, 2018)
Tufts University Invention T002004